Sharpe has been a member of the Bristol Selectboard since 1998. He has served as Chair of the that board since 2001 as well. Sharpe then joined the Vermont State House of Representatives in 2003. He has served in that position since, representing the Addison-4 District.

Sharpe was a supervisor for the Volunteers in Service to America Program from 1970 to 1971. He then worked as a mechanic at an Imported Car Center from 1972 to 1974. From 1974 to 1992, he was owner/mechanic at Hill Automotive. He has been a teacher for the Chitenden Central Supervisory Union since 1992.